AuthorTopic: Classic 60's songs: Sunny Afternoon (Read 1223 times)

"Sunny Afternoon" is a fingerprint song by the Kinks, released as a single in June 1966. This Ray Davies' composition was the last #1 hit the band had in UK; and it peaked at #14 in US. The song consolidated the new direction the group was taking toward more melodic music instead of the raucous sound of their early hits. The lyrics were also becoming much more complex, appealing to ironic social satire. The record was not up to date in terms of revolutionary sound, but it did show that rock music had developed to something more than just a catchy rhythm to dance.

Wasn't Good Day Sunshine partly influenced by this and the Lovin Spoonful's summer In The City? Seem to recall reading that once

Actually, "Good Day Sunshine" was influenced by another Lovin' Spoonful's song, according to Paul: "'Good Day Sunshine' was me trying to write something similar to 'Daydream.'"

But I didn't know that the Kinks' song had an influence there. I certainly find some similarities; but it should be taken into account that "Good Day Sunshine" was recorded in June 8, 1966; and "Sunny Afternoon" was released in June 3, 1966 (UK). It seems that there was not enough time to be an influence on the Beatles' song, unless Paul had heard the Kinks' recording before its release.

They both comment on the social climate at the time. Unemployment for the poor and a tax squeeze for the rich.

A cold and frosty morning for the poor and a sunny afternoon for the rich (but with a few clouds on the horizon).

Amusing that the "sunny" clip is filmed in the snow and the "frosty" clip on a fine day.

But the British "suffer and bear it" attitude is in both songs. The rich guy is gonna stay in his stately home as long as he can and the poor are going to stay on their street because it's "too late to emigrate".